Finding Freedom From Your Circumstances Series

Finding Freedom From Circumstances

OKAY – I want to read a couple of passages of Scripture that will lay the groundwork for our conversation this morning.

AND – please keep in mind that the words I am about the read are literally God-breathed, alive and active.

UNDERSTAND MGCC – these words are…

• Sharper than a double edged sword, they penetrate even to dividing joint and marrow, soul and spirit, and they judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

• Useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives,

THEY – correct when we are wrong,

THEY - teach us to do what is right

AND THEY - thoroughly equip us for every good work.

• Like the rain and the snow that come down from heaven,

THEY – water our lives causing things to bud and flourish,

THEY – are from God and will not return void but will achieve the purpose that God has for them this very day!

UNDERSTAND – if you ever wondered why each week I stand up here so confident and so excited that something powerful might happen…

That’s why. That’s why.

I get to share words of life from the Author of life.

OKAY – let’s do this… First passage Luke 8:22ff

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap.

NOW NOTICE – that it was Jesus’ idea to cross the lake.

SO – He knew where they were going and what would be coming their way.

But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” - Luke 8:22-25

NOW – the next 2 passages come from Philippians chapters one and four…

QUESTION – do you know where Paul was when he wrote this letter?

(In a Roman prison awaiting his execution)

NOW - I would call that a fierce-my boat is taking on water circumstance, wouldn’t you?

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. – Phil 1:11-13

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:11-13

Prayer

OKAY – so we are in this series, Finding Freedom.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

– John 8:31,32, 36

AND MGCC – here’s the deal this series (when you boil it all down) is about telling the things that seek to bind us, like…

Fear, Worry, Anger, Yourself and Stuff

“You are not my master”

“You are not the boss of me”

QUESTION…

HAVE - any of those 5 things ever tried to be your master?

AND TODAY – 12/6/2020, we are going to talk about finding freedom from our circumstances.

QUESTION…

HAVE – circumstances ever tried to by your master, tried to be the boss of you?

HAVE – circumstances ever taken away your peace, joy and contentment?

UNDERSTAND – the core idea in finding freedom from your circumstances is expressed in the following equation…

Jesus is > your circumstances!

Circumstances… Got any?

Jesus is > your circumstances!!!

NOW - in the text that I read earlier from Philippians 4, Paul makes an extremely … hard to believe statement.